Heaven

    Heaven is where God sits on His throne. "You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth." (Psalm 80:1b) It is also the place where God receives continual worship. ( Revelation 4:6b-11; 5:9-14) Those who have put their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior ( Romans 10:9, Titus 3:4-7) will live with God forever. "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." ( Colossians 3:4) We have wonderful Scriptural promises about our future state. "Beloved, we are God's children now and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." ( 1 John 3:2 ESV)
    Our lives here are marked by disappointment, suffering, trials and tribulations. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." ( Acts 14:22 ESV) "For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly." ( 1 Peter 2:19)
     While not repeating the Thessalonian error of ceasing our labor for the Lord in hope of His imminent return, we should not forget the hope of heaven. Our lives here are temporary. "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." ( Psalm 103: 15-16) "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." ( 1 John 5:13)
    So we have need of endurance and perseverance in our walk and life with God. He has not promised that we will not have hardship in this life. He has promised that He will never leave or forsake us. ( Hebrews 13:5) And with Paul we will be rescued from every evil deed and brought safely into His heavenly kingdom. ( 2 Timothy 4:18)